INT. POLICE GARAGE – AFTERNOON
The fluorescent lights hummed over rows of patrol cars. Ah Jeong leaned against a black Hyundai Genesis sedan, checking her phone. Another day, another mission—but instead of chasing drug dealers, she was stuck babysitting a spoiled chaebol.
"Babysitting. Seriously? This is my life now?" She sighed, stuffing her phone in her pocket.
Isoo emerged from the elevator, sunglasses perched on his head like he was on vacation, not under official protection. He stopped in front of her, smirked, and said, "So, Detective, ready for a fun day?"
She crossed her arms. "Define fun."
He grinned. "You'll see."
---
EXT. GANGNAM – LATE AFTERNOON
Gangnam on a Friday evening was alive: business people pouring out of offices, couples shopping, street performers drawing small crowds. Isoo led the way, hands stuffed in his hoodie pocket, head turning as though looking for trouble on purpose.
Ah Jeong trailed a step behind, scanning the street out of habit. "Where exactly are we going?"
"You'll know when we get there," he said, not slowing down.
"Let me guess. Somewhere obnoxious."
"Somewhere fun." His grin widened.
They passed COEX Mall, then veered toward Apgujeong Rodeo Street—home to expensive boutiques, luxury cars, and influencers hoping to get noticed. Isoo fit right in.
---
INT. ARCADE – APGUJEONG – MINUTES LATER
Of all places, Isoo ducked into a neon-lit arcade. Machines beeped and chimed, teens shouted over rhythm games, and the faint smell of buttered popcorn lingered.
Ah Jeong blinked. "Seriously? This is your big rebellion? A claw machine?"
"Relax, Detective. Even rich kids have hobbies." He slid a coin into the machine and focused like his life depended on winning a stuffed Pikachu.
She pinched the bridge of her nose. Unbelievable. "I could be catching drug dealers right now."
"You could also be learning how to have fun." He grinned as the claw dropped—and missed. "Damn it!"
"Tragic," she deadpanned.
---
EXT. ALLEY BEHIND THE ARCADE – MOMENTS LATER
Isoo left the arcade and cut through a narrow alley, clearly trying to ditch her.
"Seriously?" she called, following. "Do you have a death wish or are you just stupid?"
He flashed a grin over his shoulder. "Keep up, Detective."
He nearly ran into a man carrying a cardboard box. The box hit the ground, spilling papers everywhere.
"Watch where you're going, punk!" the man barked.
"Relax, old man, it's just paper," Isoo snapped.
The man stepped forward aggressively, shoving Isoo's shoulder. Another man appeared, phone camera raised. "Whoa, did you see that? Rich brat attacking innocent people!"
Isoo froze. "What—? I didn't even—"
Ah Jeong stepped in, badge out. "Police. Drop the act."
The cameraman sneered. "He attacked him. We have it on video."
"You were waiting for him." Her eyes swept over them—cheap suits, fake outrage, suspicious timing. A setup. She'd seen this trick before.
"Delete the video," she ordered.
"Or what? He's a public figure. People deserve to know what kind of monster—"
Before he could finish, the first man lunged at Isoo, hand diving into his jacket. The flash of a knife caught Ah Jeong's eye.
"Knife!" she shouted, yanking Isoo back. The blade sliced air where his torso had been.
Ah Jeong's instincts took over. She grabbed the man's wrist, twisted, and slammed him into the wall, her knee pinning his back. The knife clattered to the pavement.
The cameraman swung his phone like a weapon, aiming for Isoo. Ah Jeong snatched it mid-air, tossed it aside, and hooked his legs, sending him crashing to the ground.
---
EXT. GANGNAM STREET – MINUTES LATER
Backup arrived, sirens cutting through the evening hum. Uniformed officers cuffed the two men and collected the knife as evidence. One officer approached Ah Jeong. "Detective, these guys have priors for fraud and blackmail."
"Figures," she muttered, wiping sweat from her brow.
Isoo stood to the side, shaken but trying not to show it. "They were… setting me up?"
"Yep. You took the bait."
"I didn't even touch him!" His voice cracked slightly.
"You don't have to. All they need is one photo of you looking like you're attacking someone." She straightened, eyes narrowing at him. "This is what I meant by staying in public where I can see you. You're an easy target."
Isoo opened his mouth, then shut it again. "...Thanks. For earlier."
She blinked. "Was that gratitude I heard?"
He shrugged, turning away. "Don't get used to it."
---
EXT. HANGANG PARK – EVENING
The sky over Hangang was painted pink and gold. Isoo sat on a low wall near the river, staring at the water. His usual grin was gone, replaced by something heavier.
Ah Jeong approached with two canned coffees from a nearby vending machine, tossing one to him. "Here."
He caught it awkwardly. "I don't like coffee."
"It's free. Drink it."
He cracked it open but didn't sip. "You ever feel like… people just wait for you to screw up?"
She leaned against the wall. "Welcome to adulthood. Some people just have bigger audiences."
He gave a hollow laugh. "Must be nice. Having a job that matters. Saving lives. Catching bad guys. I just… buy things and piss off my dad."
She studied him for a moment. Beneath the arrogance, there was exhaustion. "Maybe stop acting like a headline waiting to happen."
He side-eyed her. "You sound like my dad."
"Do I look like a sixty-year-old politician to you?"
He chuckled softly. "No. You're scarier."
"Good. Fear keeps you alive."
For a long moment, they sat in silence, the sounds of the river filling the gap.
---
INT. JIN ESTATE – STUDY – NIGHT
Assemblyman Jin Do-Hwan sat behind his desk, scrolling through his phone. A notification showed security footage of the incident, already flagged by his private PR team.
He exhaled slowly and set the phone down. "They went after him today."
His secretary nodded. "But Detective Nah neutralized it. No viral footage."
Do-Hwan leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. "Good. Keep her on him. Double her pay if you have to."
"Should we issue a press statement?"
"No. The less attention, the better." He poured himself a drink, swirling it in his glass. "He's still a liability, but at least now he has someone competent watching him."
---
EXT. HANGANG PARK – NIGHT
Isoo hopped off the wall, stretching. "Guess I owe you one, Detective."
She gave him a small smirk. "Make it two. You were seconds away from being a trending hashtag."
"#RichBratBeatsRandomGuy?" he said dryly.
"#DetectiveSavesSpoiledIdiot," she corrected.
He groaned. "Great. You're funny now."
"Get used to it. I'm your shadow until your dad says otherwise."
He rolled his eyes but there was a trace of a smile. "Fine. But don't think this makes us friends."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
But as they walked back to her car, side by side, the tension that had been there all day wasn't as sharp anymore.